Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can take a toll on the life of a person by making people feel depressed and exhausted. The fear of being anxious can hinder people from socializing with others, reinforcing their misguided sense of danger and causing feelings of isolation.
Exercise as well as psychotherapy and medication are all a part of the treatment of anxiety. Antidepressants are a few options, such as SSRIs (citalopram, Escitalopram), and benzodiazepines, like diazepam and lorazepam.
severe anxiety treatment are a result of anxiety that lasts for too long or is a hindrance to daily activities. Psychotherapy and medication are commonly employed to treat anxiety disorders. Although medication can help alleviate symptoms, they do not cure anxiety disorders. They should be used along in conjunction with psychotherapy and lifestyle changes.
The medications that are typically prescribed for anxiety include antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Antidepressants help to correct a chemical imbalance in the brain which causes anxiety. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are sedatives that quickly stop the body's response to anxiety. They are also addictive and are therefore not recommended for use over the long-term.
SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) help reduce the levels of cortisol which is the stress hormone, in the body. They also block receptors that soak up serotonin in the brain, permitting more of the mood enhancing chemical to circulate and ease anxiety. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs, have similar effects to SSRIs and can also be effective in treating anxiety. SSRIs have a solid safety record, are widely available and are effective for most people. Cons Some patients experience side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and dry mouth.
Propranolol and other psychiatric drugs can also aid in reducing anxiety-related symptoms. These medications are usually used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions however, doctors can prescribe them "off-label" for anxiety. They act to blunt the effect of stress hormones in the body, like noradrenaline and adrenaline. These hormones increase heart rate and blood pressure. They can also have negative effects, such as bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension, and sedation.
You can reduce anxiety by adjusting your diet and getting enough exercise. So can relaxing activities like yoga and meditation. There are also treatments for the mind like tai chi and acupuncture that can help with anxiety. Consult your physician about the options that might be the best for you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of psychotherapy based on scientific evidence that is effective in treating anxiety disorders. It works on the principle that feelings, thoughts and physical sensations are interconnected, and that negative patterns can trap you in an endless cycle. CBT helps you identify negative thoughts and patterns and then implement techniques to help you control them. It also teaches you to manage your responses to situations that trigger anxiety and develop coping mechanisms.
In the initial session in the first session, a therapist will usually perform an assessment. This may include completing questionnaires or conducting an interview or even supplying written material. This will allow them to determine the cause of your disorder and identify the symptoms that are distressing. It will also help determine whether your current treatment options are working. The assessment will also be used to determine if you are able to have a an emotional connection.
CBT typically lasts for 20 sessions or less. During these sessions, will see your therapist at a minimum every week or every two weeks. Your therapist will guide you through various self-help methods like how you can reframe unhelpful thinking and practice positive outcome images. They will also teach you coping strategies such as how to calm your mind and relax your body.
Your therapist might offer you tools, such as therapy worksheets that help you track the symptoms and triggers. They will help you work through your anxiety in smaller steps and make the process seems less daunting. For instance, if are worried about social interactions, they might begin with role-playing with your therapist. Then, move on to talking to family members or friends.
CBT also incorporates behavioural tests. It can help you question your irrational and catastrophic predictions by generating evidence to counter them. If you're worried that something terrible will occur to you if you leave your home, you can do an behavioural test by making predictions. For example, "If I go for dinner, I'll be afflicted with food poisoning." Then you can note whether or not the prediction was right.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a good option as a substitute for medications to treat anxiety. Hypnosis can help people relax, alter their perception of their symptoms, and modify their behavior. It can also be used to overcome phobias. It is commonly employed to decrease stress and anxiety, but it can also be helpful in decreasing pain. The effects of hypnosis can last for a long time and can be felt after only one session.
During a hypnosis session (or when listening to an audio recording) the therapist will guide you into a state of trance that feels a bit like being in a daydream. In this relaxed state you will be able to listen and respond to suggestions made by the therapist. They might ask you to imagine a secure and comfortable place and after that they will tell you to pay attention to sensory details as they gradually become more real. This is known as a 'deepening state of trance.' Here is where you will begin to notice a change in the symptoms.
Many people notice a difference immediately. They might leave the room or close their eyes after an hypnotherapy session and are already feeling a shift. This is normal and sometimes it can feel like magic. For some, however, it may take several sessions before they notice any positive changes. This is normal, and it's crucial to give therapy time to work.
Always consult with your physician prior to undergoing hypnotherapy. They can answer any questions you have regarding hypnotherapy, and help you decide on your options. You'll need to schedule a private session in order to utilize hypnosis. These sessions are expensive however they are more cost-effective than other types of treatment for anxiety.
In some cases, hypnosis can be used to treat PTSD. This condition is caused by trauma such as a car accident or natural disaster, or even war. It can trigger anxiety, depression and other issues. The symptoms of PTSD include intrusive memories, nightmares and an increase in anxiety or hypervigilance. Hypnotherapy can be an effective method to manage PTSD and is typically combined with other talking treatments to achieve the best results.
Exercise
Anxiety can be a major hurdle for many people who want to live active lifestyles however the good news is that exercise could be one of the best non-pharmacological treatments for the disorder. Exercise can help reduce anxiety symptoms for a long time. A regular schedule of exercise can help reduce anxiety.
While it is well-documented that regular exercise has benefits for health, only a few studies have examined its effects on anxiety. A new study suggests high intensity exercise is especially effective in treating anxiety.
The researchers in the study, supervised by University of Gothenburg psychologist Henriksson, assigned 223 adults with anxiety to a 12-week group exercise program that involved either high or low intensity workouts. They also gave them instructions on how to integrate exercises into their lives. The results were clear: those in the high intensity group showed significantly more improvement in their anxiety levels than those in the lower intensity group.
These results have implications for the use of exercise programs in general practice. Patients suffering from anxiety tend to be more sedentary than people without the condition. This may contribute to their mental health issues. Research suggests that those who are physically active are less likely to suffer from anxiety or depression than those who are inactive.
It's not surprising that exercise has a positive effect on mental health: it stimulates the release of positive hormones like serotonin and dopamine. Furthermore, it can help increase self-esteem and improve the quality of sleep. But the benefits of exercise are much greater than that research has proven that it's just as effective as antidepressants for treating anxiety.
A recent meta-analysis carried out by Jayakody and colleagues identified eight studies that compared groups who exercised versus those who did not. These studies all reported an improvement in anxiety levels. The researchers limited their analysis to studies that involved participants who have a diagnosis of anxiety disorder. This means that more research is needed to assess whether exercise is an option for people who have elevated levels of anxiety.